I`m of impeccable integrity: Thomas to SC

New Delhi: Controversial bureaucrat PJ
Thomas Monday opposed the petition in the Supreme Court seeking
his removal as Central Vigilance Commissioner, saying he was a
person of "impeccable integrity" and became a "victim of
political battle".

In his affidavit, the CVC expressed gratitude to the apex
court for giving him opportunity to respond to the allegations
made against him.

Thomas, who was appointed as CVC on September 7 last year,
was issued notices on petitions filed by NGO, Centre for
Public Interest Litigation (CPIL) and some other eminent
persons including former Chief Election Commissioner JM
Lyngdoh against his appointment.

The CVC in his affidavit has taken identical stand like
the Centre that no statutory norms were violated in his
appointment.

The affidavit filed through advocate Wills Mathew
maintained that Thomas was an "outstanding officer" with
"impeccable integrity" and he is a victim of a "political
battle".

Thomas` response came against the backdrop of a notice
issued by a bench headed by Chief Justice SH Kapadia on
December 6 last on various petitions challenging his
appointment as CVC despite having been chargesheeted in the
Palmolein oil import case in Kerala.

The petitioners argued that Thomas cannot be
considered as a person of "impeccable integrity" as he was
chargesheeted in the Palmolein import scam when he was a
secretary in the Kerala Ministry of Food and Civil Supplies
and had secured bail from the local court.

It was also alleged that he was appointed against the
procedure despite opposition from Leader of the Opposition
Sushma Swaraj who was part of a three-member committee also
comprising Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Home Minister P
Chidambaram.

The PILs said he could not be appointed CVC on account of
"conflict of interest" as till recently he was serving as
Secretary in Telecom Ministry and there was allegation that he
was involved in the "cover-up" of the 2G spectrum scam, which,
according to the petitioners, has caused a loss of Rs 70,000
crore to the state exchequer. However, CAG in its report has
stated that there was a presumptive loss of Rs 1.76 lakh
crore.

Later, during the hearing of 2G spectrum scam, the
government informed that Thomas has recused from supervising
the CBI in its investigation in the case.